Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

How long until treatment starts?

My husband was diagnosed with Hepatitis C Genotype 1b, about 2 weeks ago. He had a liver biopsy about 5 days ago, and his doctor is saying on a scale of 1-4 (4 being the worst) the damage to his liver is about a 3. No cirrhosis or anything. So we are wondering how long will it be until he can start treatment? And also, for the past 5 months or so he has been itching like a mad man, its so bad he is losing sleep, cant concentrate etc.. nothing has worked to stop it, and Im wondering do any of you know if starting the treatment will help the itching at all? Thank you!!!

Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms
reported by people with hepatitis C (20%), but is
more commonly found in people with advanced
liver disease and cirrhosis. Pruritus is itching that
may be localized to a specific part of the body
such as hands and feet, but it can also be a generalized
itching all over the body. Some people
even report that it feels like their internal organs
itch. Pruritus can be related to high bilirubin
levels, autoimmune disease or dry skin, and can
be a side effect of treatment. Use of moisturizing
lotions, oatmeal baths or lotions, antihistamines,
and cortisone creams and opiate drugs can help.

Thanks for the responses, I think it is really going to be a big help to have people to talk to who have been through this before. Is there anything he needs to do before treatment? Like no alcohol for a certain amount of time or anything like that? Or do you think he should be able to start like next week when he goes back to his Dr.? Thanks so much!!

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